*Photo from the Baltimore Sun*
If it hasn't already been proven, this year's Baltimore Orioles squad is not like others. Ramon Urias homered, Ryan Mountcastle homered and drove in two, and the Orioles defeated the Toronto Blue Jays with a 7-4 victory on Monday night in Baltimore.
After seeing a 5 game win streak snapped on Sunday, the Orioles came into the series opener on Monday night looking to get back in the win column. That they did, winning their 6th in 7 games and 7th in 10 games, sitting one game out a playoff spot with a 57-52 record.
It was an important one to win as well. Because they'll have a lot more games against the Blue Jays this season, 14 of them to be exact. Tonight, it was Mountcastle and Urias who led the way, driving in 5 of the 7 runs scored by the Orioles offense, who leaned heavily on the long ball.
Baltimore outfielder Austin Hays said that "You can always do a little bit more on offense. This team has a bit of everything. We have the ability to hit four homers, we have the ability to steal four bases in a game. It's a very potent lineup from top to bottom, as far as power and speed goes. Guys are able to get on base more than one or two ways. This lineup can hurt you in a lot of ways."
Urias got the Orioles ahead first, hitting a 3 run home run in the first inning to make it 3-0 right away. In the top of the 3rd, Cavan Biggio hit a solo homer to get Toronto on the board, but back to back solo shots from Mountcastle and Anthony Santander in the bottom of the 3rd made it a 5-1 game in short order.
When the 6th inning rolled around, Matt Chapman homered for the Blue Jays to make it 5-2, only for Hays to answer back in the bottom of the 6th, making the score 6-2 in favor of the Orioles. In the top of the 8th, an RBI single from Raimel Tapia and a sac fly from Danny Jansen made it a 6-4 game, but Mountcastle made it 7-4 in the bottom half with an RBI single of his own.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said after the game that "I don't know if it's a statement. I think that we swung the bats really well. Nice to see us hit some homers. I feel like it's been a little bit since we've had a game like that offensively."
It was Jordan Lyles who started for the Orioles, allowing two runs on 8 hits over 5 2/3 innings, getting the win. Cionel Perez finished the 6th inning, followed by 1 1/3 innings from Dillon Tate. Joey Krehbiel got one out in the 8th before giving way to Felix Bautista, who got the final 4 outs to get the save.
For Toronto, Yusei Kikuchi got the start, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, striking out 4 in 5 innings pitched, getting the loss. Trent Thornton came on and handled two innings of one run ball, with Trevor Richards also giving up a run in one inning of work.
Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider said that "You hit August and everything seems to count a little bit more, so this time of year is always fun. We’re familiar with them and they’re familiar with us. Execution will be big. The game plan is the game plan, and there will be adjustments here and there, but executing is going to be big. The more you see an opponent, the more familiar and the more competitive it gets."
Up next, the Orioles and Blue Jays continue their series on Tuesday night. Kyle Bradish starts for the Orioles as they look to keep rolling, while the Blue Jays send Alek Manoah to the mound.
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